The Commons Chip

     Located across from Elwell Hall sits a small building filled with huge glass windows going almost all the way around. This building is known to the students of Bloomsburg University as the Scranton Commons. The Commons is the main dining hall and sits right behind Carver Hall. This gives a great view of the bright, golden lamp atop of Carver while approaching the entrance. After walking through two sets of green glass doors you will instantly be hit with the delicious aroma of the kitchen. The sound of conversations amongst students gets louder and louder as you walk across the white tiled floor. After scanning your ID and walking in you're now looking at what is similar to a food court at the mall. There are multiple long countertops with food acting like a moat which separates the long line of hungry students, and the chefs in the kitchen.  

    Sitting in an office chair at the entrance of the building wearing her usual chefs hat, and black kitchen uniform is Chip! Chip is one of the workers at the Dining Hall. Chips job is to sit at the computer-like touchscreen and make sure students IDs work. If someone requests a box to go, or wants to use a guest swipe for a friend, she's there to help. Chip is one of the kindest, most friendly people. She always greets students with a big smile. Just seeing her presence is enough to change anyone's mood from negative to positive. "Come on in, lunch is ready!" Chip says to students walking past her. 

"Hey Chip, how many kids would you say we see here a night?" One of Chips fellow workers asked.

"Well, during lunch time it's slow, so we'll only serve about 500 to 600 kids. During dinner we can serve up to 1,500." replied chip.

"Yeah I'd say that's about right." he agreed. 

"Years ago when we had both salad bars open we would serve over 2,000 students a meal, but that was before the population of the University dropped." Chip added.

It can be rare, but sometimes you will find people with absolute love and dedication for what they do. "I've been here 27 years and still haven't graduated!" Chip joked. "Being here is the best part of my day because I am here with you students. You're my family and my life. Sometimes when I'm home I'm sad, but when I'm here I'm happy." She explained. It's clear Chip is a special individual and students always go out of their way to make sure she knows how important she is to the Bloomsburg community. Students standing next to Chip having conversation is not something out of the ordinary. One of the easiest people to communicate with, Chip always has time to hear about a students day, or answer a much desired question to help win a debate. Two students named Max and Aiden, who are having a heated discussion over which ice cream flavor is superior, approach Chip and ask her opinion. 

"Chip, if you had to chose between eating chocolate ice cream, or vanilla ice cream for the rest of your life, what would it be?" Aiden asked with enthusiasm.

The million dollar smile wipes clean off her face as Chip lets out a deep breathe and whispers "Now that's a tough one, let me think."

After a solid ten second thought Chip looks up at the boys and says "I think I would have to live off of Vanilla. I don't hate chocolate, but that' just the way I would live." 

Aiden turns to his friend Max and says "There you go, can't call me crazy if Chip agrees."

It's appropriate that the biggest dining hall on campus also houses one of the biggest personas on campus. Chip loves the students, and the students love Chip. Although Chip doesn't work every day, you can still expect to see her sitting in her usual spot behind the counter every time you walk through the entrance. Being here 27 years and counting, Chip is one of few people fortunate enough to see generations of hungry students walk through the doors of the Scranton Commons. The Scranton Commons has changed a lot over the past 27 years, but there's one tradition that remains the same. To the person who exerts kindness daily, always smiles, and is a living legend to the students of Bloomsburg, thank you Chip!